The Karmic Connection

I’ve been hearing the word “Karma” a lot these days. It seems to be on everyone’s mind and in the air, perhaps because it’s a new year and a time for
setting resolutions. The whole concept of Karma got me to thinking and posed a lot more questions than answers. Does karma actually play out in our daily lives and how does it work? How do you get good karma and avoid bad karma? Can we escape karma altogether? To answer these questions required delving into Eastern
religions, philosophic teachings and ancient mysticism.

There are actually twelve Karmic Laws but the one most frequently referred to is the first law known as the universal Law of Cause and Effect. To put it simply – all actions have consequences. Whatever you do, good or bad, will come back to you, often multiplied. It is the embodiment of the principle of reciprocity. Our attitudes and actions impact the world around us. This karmic law has been coined into popular axioms over the centuries that are often bandied about “you reap what you sow” or “what goes around comes around” and “you get what you deserve”.

The karmic Law of Patience and Reward says anything worth having requires patience, dedication and the right motivations. Those who focus only on the rewards of personal gratification will find themselves wanting while those who focus on their spiritual priorities in life will be rewarded.

To what degree karmic law is embodied by a person depends on how strong their view of kindness and justice in the world is. Most of us feel we deserve to be treated with such, although it is the sum of our actions that show us the responses we receive from others. From this viewpoint, karma is not seated in fate. Because we act upon free will creating our own destiny, karma is an ever fluid process of learning and was never intended to be construed as a
punishment. Although often misunderstood as one, it is really all about actions and consequences. The Law of Responsibility, or the Law of Mirrors explains that while it is easy to blame others when things go awry, determining where the blame lies is to look into a mirror and ask yourself, are you part of the problem or the solution? The answer lies in where we place the blame.

Hinduism and Buddhism believe in reincarnation. Every karmic action and consequence from past lives on a physical, emotional and spiritual level is stored in the essence of our souls known as the Akashic Records. When an experience triggers something from a past life, it is activated in our present life. Think about the times you met someone and felt an immediate connection as if you had known them all your life. This is a person from a past life brought into your life now because further karmic lessons are needed. In a positive
relationship, they often work for the greatest benefit of everyone involved. The same is true of the opposite experience. We have all met people who strike a strong negative cord within us and we don’t really understand why. These people often leave us feeling emotionally depleted and present difficult life challenges brought to us as a way to deal with past unresolved karmic consequences.

Our stored karma from the past is thought to help us learn lessons, right the course from a past life experience and ultimately find release. The challenge lies in the path we take. Gaining new karma is not found in the path of least resistance, but likely on a path that requires great effort and diligence. The Law of Synchronicity or Law of Ultimate Connection says because everything in the universe is connected, no action is inconsequential and in the grand karmic
scheme, it may actually be very important. Learning a sense of purpose and fulfillment in all actions we undertake is necessary. Wayne Dyer says, “How people treat you is their karma; how you react is yours”.

Can we avoid karma? The answer is no. Opting to procrastinate or avoid action is just as powerful in creating karma as taking action, good or bad and it may prolong difficult situations until the lesson is learned. Sometimes, it requires making a change within ourselves. In our desire to find greater happiness, we look to alter our external circumstances, but the reality is that inner peace comes from within. When we change, everything else comes into alignment with our
higher purpose.

To grow and ascend the karmic ladder can span several lifetimes. The Law of Change says history will continue to repeat itself until we learn to make the necessary changes to transform our karma. Change is always present however, our karma is exempt. It is only change within us that will change our destiny. Acts of goodwill are thought to have a transformational effect on past karma, but
only if served in the truest motivation on every level. The Law of Focus, or the Law of Direction and Motives says actions require a singleness of spiritual purpose. Hidden agendas and motives are not conducive to spiritual freedom.

To answer the last question posed, there is no escaping! It is believed that when one lives and abides within the universal karmic laws, only then can the ripples of karmic consequences be transformed. The desire to live harmoniously takes more than empty words and half-hearted gestures to move out of one’s circumstances. The old adage, “practice what you preach” defines the Law of Willingness. To believe in something, one must demonstrate it through personal investment and service.

As we create our circumstances and our destiny by the paths we choose, our life ultimately becomes our true inner nature. This brings us to the Law of Here and Now. Revisiting the past to learn from it is important as long as we don’t stay there. We have all felt stuck occasionally and perhaps that is because we are dwelling in “what was” instead of focusing our attention on “what is” which
prevents us from moving forward. Everything we do, think and say ultimately goes back to the universal law of cause and effect. The act of reciprocity – what you put in comes back to you, Karma.

This entry was posted
on Wednesday, January 9th, 2013 at 10:56 pm and is filed under Zen Living.
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